Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has applauded Ghana’s democratic stance and says it is encouraging that Ghana’s 50th Independence Celebration has occurred at a moment in her history when the country has been playing an active role in fostering peace and security, good governance and human rights in Africa. President Parvanov made the remarks at a meeting on Wednesday 11th July, 2007 with Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nana Akufo-Addo, MP, who is leading a government delegation to Bulgaria and Russia. Speaking at the seat of government in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, President Parvanov accepted Ghana’s call for the improvement of the relations between Ghana and Bulgaria so that the long standing political and cultural relations between the two countries will be further strengthened and expanded to include trade and investment. The Bulgarian President extended an invitation to President Kufuor to pay a visit to Bulgaria.

Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo, MP, commended Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union. He recalled that the relations between Ghana and Bulgaria have been cordial since the 1960s when Ghana was under the presidency of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who paid a visit to the then People’s Republic of Bulgaria which resulted in increased co-operation between the two countries, especially in the field of education. He urged Bulgarian investors to take advantage of the stable political situation in Ghana, her democratic environment based on the rule of law and the favourable macro economic outlook of the country.

Earlier at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sofia, a Protocol for the Establishment of Bilateral Consultations to promote friendly relations and co-operation between Ghana and Bulgaria was signed. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Ivaylo Kalfin, signed on behalf of the Government of Bulgaria, while his Ghanaian counterpart Nana Akufo-Addo signed for Ghana. By signing the Protocol, the two countries have agreed to establish a process for bilateral consultations at diplomatic levels that will constitute a useful mechanism for promoting their bilateral dialogue and cooperation on regional and international issues. Discussions between the two Ministers covered matters of mutual interest and related to economic, trade, cultural and political issues, with special emphasis on the impending EU-Africa Summit and the situation in Kosovo. Nana Akufo-Addo stated the determination of the Kufuor Administration to revive and expand the links with the new democratic Bulgaria which have gone into substantial decline since the overthrow of the Nkrumah government in 1966.

The Hon. Minister also met with the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the 240 member Bulgarian National Assembly, Dr. Solomon Passy, MP. Discussions touched on the possibility of forging links between the parliaments of the two countries. Dr. Passy acknowledged Ghana as a country committed to strengthening democracy and propagating the values and principles of democratic governance across Africa.

The Minister and his delegation has since left for Moscow, Russia.